Summer is a time for fun road trips and vacations, but unfortunately, it’s also when truck accidents tend to spike in West Virginia. If you find yourself seriously injured in a collision with a big rig during the summer months, you may be wondering if you should accept the trucking company’s first settlement offer.
As an experienced West Virginia truck accident lawyer, Chirag Deai is here to explain why that’s usually not in your best interests. Keep reading to learn what you should do instead to protect your rights and maximize your financial recovery.
The Dangers of Summer Truck Accidents in West Virginia
West Virginia’s interstates and highways see a lot more traffic during the summer as tourists head to popular destinations like New River Gorge National Park, Harpers Ferry, and Blackwater Falls State Park. With more passenger vehicles on the roads, the risk of accidents goes up, especially crashes involving massive commercial trucks.
There are several reasons why truck accidents are more likely to occur in the summer:
- Increased congestion – Holiday weekends and summer vacations mean the roads are more crowded. Trucks take up a lot of space and require more distance to brake or maneuver to avoid a wreck.
- Road construction – Summer is prime time for repairs and improvements to West Virginia’s roadways. Work zones create tricky obstacles for big trucks to navigate and often lead to sudden slow-downs and lane changes that can catch truckers off guard.
- More teen drivers – School’s out for the summer, so there are a lot more inexperienced teen drivers on the roads. They may not yet know how to safely share the road with 80,000-pound 18-wheelers.
- Tire blowouts – Hot summer temperatures cause the air inside tires to expand, increasing the chances of blowouts and tread separations. Because of their size and weight, trucks are prone to losing control when a tire fails.
- Impaired driving – Summer celebrations often involve alcohol. Some people will unfortunately choose to drink and drive, and that includes truck drivers. Being under the influence drastically raises the risk of an accident.
When a passenger vehicle collides with a much larger and heavier semi-truck, the results are often catastrophic. Occupants of cars, motorcycles, and other personal vehicles frequently suffer devastating injuries like brain trauma, spinal cord damage, crushed or amputated limbs, and internal organ injuries. Tragically, many truck accident victims lose their lives.
Why the First Settlement Offer is Almost Always Too Low
After a serious summer truck wreck, you may be facing overwhelming medical bills, lost wages from missing work, intense physical pain, and severe emotional trauma. It’s an incredibly difficult time as you try to recover and figure out how you’ll pay your bills and provide for your family.
The trucking company’s insurance adjuster is well aware of the immense pressure you’re under. They may reach out shortly after the accident with a settlement offer, hoping you’ll jump at the chance for quick cash before you realize the full extent of your losses.
Here’s why accepting that first offer is rarely a wise move:
- It will be a lowball amount. The insurance company’s goal is to pay out as little as possible to protect their bottom line. Their first offer will not account for the true costs of your injuries and damages, both now and in the future.
- You may not know how badly you’re hurt yet. Not all truck accident injuries are immediately obvious. Brain trauma, spinal damage, and internal injuries can take time to fully manifest. If you settle too soon, you could get stuck paying for expensive medical care down the road.
- You’ll waive your rights to any further payment. When you accept a settlement, you have to sign a release giving up your right to pursue any additional compensation related to the accident. Even if your bills end up being far more than you received, you’ll be out of luck.
- You need time to gather evidence and build your case. To get the maximum compensation you deserve, you’ll need to prove that the trucker or trucking company was at fault and show the extent of your injuries and losses. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer will need to thoroughly investigate the accident and assemble strong evidence on your behalf.
- An attorney can usually negotiate a much higher settlement. Insurance companies use all sorts of tactics to get unrepresented truck accident victims to accept lowball settlements. An experienced lawyer won’t fall for their tricks.
So, while accepting that first settlement check may be tempting, you’ll only be shortchanging yourself in the long run. You deserve full and fair compensation for everything you’ve been through. The smartest thing you can do is decline the offer and contact a skilled West Virginia truck accident lawyer immediately.
Work with a Skilled West Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer
Getting hurt in a summer truck accident in West Virginia is a traumatic and life-changing event. At a time when you’re in pain and struggling to pay your bills, the last thing you need is an insurance company trying to pressure you into accepting an unreasonably low settlement. You deserve full and fair compensation and the best way to get it is to work with a skilled West Virginia truck accident lawyer.
At Desai Law, we have the knowledge, experience, and resources to take on the biggest trucking companies and fight for your rights. We’ll investigate the crash, gather evidence to prove liability and damages, and explore every potential source of compensation. With us in your corner, you can feel confident that you have a dedicated legal ally fighting to maximize your financial recovery.
Most importantly, we treat our clients like family. We’ll take the time to listen to your story, understand how the accident has impacted your life, and create a legal strategy tailored to your unique needs and goals. Our mission is to help you get the resources you need to rebuild your health and your life.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident this summer in West Virginia, don’t make the mistake of accepting the insurance company’s lowball first offer. You could be leaving significant money on the table and struggling to pay accident-related expenses for years to come. Instead, contact Desai Law today at (304) 974-1974 for a free consultation. Let us deal with the insurance company and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. Your battle is worth fighting, and we’re ready to advocate for you.
